CALIFORNIA -- Earlier today, the California State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 1066 - legislation that would make farm workers eligible to receive overtime pay after eight hours of work, just like every other overtime eligible employee in California.

The legislation, sponsored by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), passed the California State Senate by one vote earlier last week week, but had previously failed to pass the State Assembly in May.

In reaction to the California State Assembly vote, Eddie Kurtz, executive director of the California-based Courage Campaign issued the following statement:

“Fair pay and overtime compensation are core values of the Democratic Party. We are deeply grateful to see that nearly all California Democrats listened to their constituents and voted to end our State’s racist double standard that denies hard working farm workers that feed our families and fuel our economy the fair pay and overtime wages they serve.

“We applaud our legislators for reaffirming California’s role as a progressive leader and for recognizing that the fair overtime pay provided in this bill will boost our State’s families and economy. We urge Governor Brown to swiftly sign this bill into law.”